Blog

I’m a sappy romantic, generally filled with love and affection, and I’m currently planning a wedding to an equally sappy partner. And I’m telling you confidently that Valentine’s Day is a load of crap.
It’s a day filled with pressure that makes singles and couples alike feel awful more often than ...

Tomorrow night marks Clarkliving’s official NYC launch. If you or any of your ilk are in or around the city, swing by and join us in celebrating this milestone at Manitoba’s in the East Village from 8ish to 11ish pm. Why Manitoba’s, you ask?
There’s a certain cosmic connection between our ...

I admit that I’m both a Pasadena townie and a gym rat, and it’s that background that makes the current incarnation of Fight Academy so heartwarming to me. Other Pasadena townies may recognize the ghost in these photos as Jake’s, the divey-est bar west of the 35er, and lament that ...

In 2012, actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family) founded Tie the Knot, a non-profit focused on marriage equality. Over the past 5 years, Tie the Knot has raised over $1M and grown into realizing global efforts to advocate for LGBTQ rights and marriage equality beyond the states.
Tie the Knot raises money ...

Alan Chang, a Clarkliving client and close friend, is one of those people you don’t realize you already know. Perhaps that’s why his first solo album, Say What I Gotta Say, is so significant; we’ve all heard his work, but now we actually get a chance to listen to the guy.
Chang, ...

You don’t need to know the story behind Fiore Market Cafe, the bustling little lunch spot on the corner of El Centro and Fremont in South Pasadena, to feel that there’s something wonderful afoot as soon as you walk in. Fiore embodies the essence of a place like South Pasadena; ...

It's August already. It's uncharacteristically humid. Deadlines are still looming and school will be back in session soon. You deserve a you day. A you-and-your-person-or-people day. A chance to enjoy the dwindling days of summer as they should be enjoyed: with an ice cold beverage or five.
Come, join me. Let's ...

I realize we may be giving off the impression that the real estate industry is where you head when you’re transitioning out of the music industry, and that’s not entirely true. When our friend Rick Brandley, a former touring sound engineer, decided he didn’t want to be on the road ...

In 2016, the Eagle Rock Farmer’s Market had seen better days. The once-great farmer’s market had gone through several vendor changes and location changes in the 20 or so years since its formation. By the end of last year, the whole ordeal had been whittled down to essentially three vendors, ...

“You’re not that inspired when you’re happy,” Xander Singh, who's a Clarkliving client and close friend, says matter of factly. “When you’re really happy, it’s hard to write anything interesting because you’re just busy being happy, just living it.” Such is the cathartic experience a lot of artists recognize but ...

Let me begin by clarifying that this is about sandwiches; I’m not talking about burgers or wraps here, those are different beasts. And what is the exact line between a burrito and a wrap? Or a quesadilla and a panino for that matter? The lines get too blurry. Technically even ...

Sofia Hultquist, otherwise known as Drum & Lace, is an Italian-born Angeleno, composer, and sustainable fashion advocate. At 18 years old, Hultquist left Italy to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston to study film scoring. She went on to complete graduate studies in 3D Audio, Music Technology, and Electronic ...

I consider myself, by all accounts, a nurturer. Do you need something to drink? A little nosh? You look peckish. Please, I have homemade snacks prepared, and at worst a pack of almonds in my bag to get you through, so please allow me to feed you. Chilly? I have ...

Pasadena isn’t hurting when it comes to fitness options- there’s a wide variety of chain gyms, fashionable high-end studios that may possibly be more for prestige than for fitness, CrossFit boxes, fighting gyms, and so on and so forth. But one thing the Crown City has been lacking is an ...

While Clarkliving friend & client Regina DiMartino was attending Hunter College in New York City, someone offered her a job as a page at ABC. DiMartino took the job and thus began her lengthy career in television. Post-page life, DiMartino transitioned into public relations for daytime TV. Throughout her career ...

"You, my friend," I said to Mauricio, "are an Italian mother."
Mauricio Vincenzi, the general manager at Lola's Peruvian Restaurant in Glendale, smiled knowingly as he continued to bring delicious things for me to try. I came to Lola's on Brand for a weekday lunch, and the ever-doting Vincenzi continually asked ...

I was in our office one day when Steve excitedly rubbed his palms together and said, “Andy’s coming by. It’s burrito day.” When I asked him to explain, he said, “You don’t know about Andy’s burrito days??” I didn’t know what he was talking about, but I knew I needed ...

Uli Nasibova and her husband Ryan Vaillancourt moved to Downtown LA in 2008, when the renaissance was beginning to really flower around them. Uli noticed that among the new crop of businesses and revitalized housing, the neighborhood still lacked a gelato shop, or really any kind of delicious frozen treat ...

On Friday the 13th of August in 1993, Incognito Tattoo was born. It was birthed of Mister Jason Schroder, otherwise known as Mr. Incognito, a Clarkliving client and friend. Incognito first opened its doors on Colorado Blvd in Pasadena, and it thrived in that spot for more than fifteen years. ...

Here’s a spoiler that will become evident almost immediately: this isn’t Steve typing.
There are a few things you should know about me (Allie) so that you can better frame my experience at Panty Raid with the shop’s co-owner, Jessica Hlavac: I am frugal, large chested, and stubborn. Hlavac, a Clarkliving ...

If you find yourself drawn to highly curated environments filled with an eclectic array of influences and intoxicating scents, you'll be in hog heaven at Spitfire Girl. If you live in Los Angeles, you've probably already been there. With two storefronts, a thriving online presence, and a wide range of ...

Belle Arte is an unsuspecting paradise for artists, designers, and art collectors. I happened upon Belle Arte by accident one day after taking a few wrong turns in Lincoln Heights. I was welcomed in by co-owner Lanna Borom, who excitedly led me around the warehouse space that seemed to stretch ...

Artisanal LA’s Spring 2016 show is happening next weekend, April 9th & 10th, at The Reef in Downtown LA. Artisanal LA represents a collection of over 150 vendors, cookers, bakers, picklers, and other assorted makers. Many of these local businesses and micro-businesses aren't yet selling their wares in retails environments, ...

Luisa Fabbri, the owner of Contessa Collections on S. Lake Avenue in Pasadena, left her corporate job in her hometown of Florence, Italy and landed in California twenty years ago. When I went to meet with her to discuss the two shops she owns and operates, I unknowingly walked into ...

If you’ve been—like I’ve been—lurking around Pasadena for long enough, you know that Jones Coffee Roasters isn’t new. You know that Jones has roots all around this city because your eyes light up whenever you see that familiar logo in a restaurant, store, or cafe. Because you’ve been hungrily watching ...

Designer Sidonie Loiseleux did a project on origami fighter jets for her MFA thesis at Cal Arts. Loiseleux was fascinated by origami and loved the paradox of creating a representation of something incredibly powerful and violent with something as delicate as paper. She was equally entranced by the contrast in ...

I was sitting in the lobby of The Warren Custom Tattoo Shop on Sunset Blvd when a man completely uninterested in tattoos walked in.
“This is a tattoo shop? This doesn’t look like any tattoo shop I’ve ever seen. You mind if I take some photos? Wow.”
His reaction wasn’t singular, and ...

Twenty-five years ago, jewelry designer Jill Pearson approached Old Town Pasadena’s One Colorado about opening up a retail space in the coveted location. The timing ended up not being quite right, and Pearson opted to forego the storefront and focus on her jewelry line, Wasabi. In 2014, she found herself ...

Clarkliving friend and client Jessica Hlavac is the woman behind one of LA’s most beloved purveyors of lingerie: Panty Raid in Los Feliz. The now-thirteen-year-old boutique supplies its loyal following with the full gamut of underthings- from everyday t-shirt bras to exquisite French lace delicates.
Panty Raid prides itself on carrying ...

Three weeks into October, Echo Park’s Button Mash opened their doors to the public. What had been brewing inside was an amalgamation of many different dreams. Co-founders Jordan Weiss and Gabe Fowlkes met while working in film development, but each of them had wandering passions. Weiss comes from a family ...

If I were to begin a conversation with you by proposing a theory of a clear lineage from the Sex Pistols to Ryan Seacrest, I’d expect you to excuse yourself from the table. I wouldn’t blame you. The thing is, there is a significant common thread that runs from the ...

It’s not a big secret that the answers to a multitude of our problems lie in finding and utilizing sustainable energy solutions. Solar energy is one of our greatest resources, and while utilization of that energy has increased in recent years, many homeowners still seem wary about solar panels. Their ...

Clark Living friend and client, Melanie Florio, is exactly the woman you’d expect to meet were you to comb over her extensive portfolio before meeting her. She’s a prolific painter and illustrator, which makes sense given her boundless energy and enthusiasm. Florio, who received her MFA from the Laguna College ...

Clark Living friend and Lyric Preschool Director, Mr. Curtis, didn’t realize that preschool was his calling until his own son started school at the age of two. He became deeply interested in his child’s new day-to-day environment and decided to change his own direction.
“I loved [his school] so much, I ...

For a lot of us, home is where the furry face greets you. Few things can instantly turn a house into a home faster than the unconditional love of our pets. There are a lot of pets out there though that haven’t found their way home yet, and that’s where ...

You, like me, may recognize Chef Sevan Abdessian but not immediately be able to place him. Indulging in Netflix binges of cooking competition shows will expose you to Sevan several times over; he’s participated in Food Network’s shows Chopped and Cutthroat Kitchen, FYI’s Man vs. Child, and Anthony Bourdain’s The ...

alexandra’s table, the quaint café and shop adjacent to the San Gabriel Mission, offers a small but telling glance into the grand scheme of Alexandra Poer’s passion for food and everything to which it’s inextricably linked.
The menu at alexandra’s table shifts along with the seasons. The food, like the place ...

I’ve read a lot of reviews where the writer describes a place or a thing as being more-than-just: “This is more than just a restaurant,” or, “Their gelato is more than just a frozen Italian treat with a lower butterfat content than American ice cream.” Of course they mean this ...

It was only six years ago that Clarkliving friend Chris DeWitt developed a line of mirrors. After leaving his post as president of Free People, the luxe bohemian brand that counts Urban Outfitters and Anthropolgie among its sister companies, DeWitt teamed up with furniture designer Oscar Yague. They began by ...

Quick, efficient, equal opportunity skin care has begun its reign. Face Haus, the fast casual salon that began in Studio City in 2013, brought a logical concept to an industry in need of refreshing. With its tagline Facials for the People, Face Haus stands to serve the underserved in skin care.
Just the phrase, "getting a facial," calls to mind a certain demographic: grown women ...

Do you have big box furniture store dread? Would you be less aggravated with putting your furniture together if the instructions included, you know, words? Do you think to yourself, “If I could just afford it, I wouldn’t have to decorate with the same temporary particle board furniture everyone else seems to have…”? I’m here to let you ...

Splendid began with one simple goal: to create the ultimate t-shirt. Over the past thirteen years, that humble aspiration has grown into one of the country's most successful contemporary lifestyle brands. You can find Splendid's collection in department and specialty stores as well in their own retail stores- of which there now 29 around ...

In 2007, Clarkliving friend and client Tad Yenawine opened Purgatory Pizza in Boyle Heights. The name is a nod to the sort of in-between area where the restaurant stands: not quite urban, not quite suburban, not much in the way of foot traffic, and yet the place has managed to ...

South Park, the Downtown LA neighborhood adjacent to the Staples Center and LA Live, is one of the most rapidly changing areas of Los Angeles. While downtown’s Historic Core, north of South Park, has grown increasingly pedestrian friendly in recent years, South Park lagged a little behind—until now. For an area that used to ...

Chris Chough, a ClarkLiving friend and client, grew up skateboarding in LA. Over the years he's seen skateboarding evolve, splinter, fracture, and resurface with an urgency reminiscent of its earliest days. As a father, he introduced his kids to skateboarding, and now he’s bringing thatpassion to The Banks, a skate shop he ...

Moving can be a serious pain in the bum. There are far too many little things that need to be packed, there are too many heavy boxes that your aching back doesn’t want to help carry anymore, and there's still the whole unpacking process after that. No matter how many times ...

Zpizza, the first artisan-inspired pizza chain, opened up its newest location this past Monday in Silver Lake. For the past 25 years, zpizza has attracted foodies from all over the world. With their nutritious choices, artisan brick oven baked pizzas, made with premium ingredients, they have been appealing to a a ...

Home energy efficiency is something that doesn’t always seem to take priority in our lives. Usually, convenience and speed seems to rule the products we use and the way we do things. But, especially in the wake of the drought in California, home energy efficiency is one of the biggest ...

Marty Tregnan Golf Academy
Sometimes it can be hard to move to the Los Angeles area with kids because parents fear that there are not enough activities for their kids. There fears should fade away at the growing number of facilities directed at the children in the Los Angeles area. The ...

Home Maintenance – Maintain Your Investment
Buying a home is definitely a financial investment – and home maintenance should be taken seriously in order to protect your investment.
Regular home maintenance is important for your home. I like to think of it like I would my car. My car gets regular maintenance ...

Average Home Price in LA County for 2014
The average home price is on the rise in Los Angeles County. It is hard to know whether now is the time to buy, to sell, or to just keep waiting.
According to Zillow predictions, the average home value is expected to rise 5.8 ...

CommonWealth Restaurant – Burbank
About CommonWealth Restaurant
CommonWealth Restaurant is located at 222 S. Glenoaks Blvd. in Burbank. The menu features a variety of influences including French, Italian, and Asian cuisines.
Ryotaro Isobe and Peter Park are co-owerns of this beautiful restaurant. They designed a menu full of small-plate options that ...

Union – A Pasadena Delight
Union is turning things around for food culture. In my last blog, I mentioned a growing “foodie culture” that is taking off. The United States has frequently been frowned upon when it comes to high quality, high standard, original creations of food dishes.
But, Union, a ...

AltaEats – Good Eats in Pasadena
AltaEats is a secret little gem on the border of Pasadena and Altadena. You probably wouldn’t be looking for it as you drive up Allen Avenue. But if you do see it, be sure to stop.
Foodie culture seems to be popping up all over the ...

Quality Location & An Easy Vacation – Big Bear
Living in Los Angeles has many benefits – namely location. Of course living in and near a big city means that there is a downtown area, nightlife, lots of shopping and restaurants, and all that other good stuff. But it doesn’t always ...

South Pasadena History
South Pasadena is a beautiful area that I love to show off to people who have never been in the area before. It has a population of over 25,000 people and is located in Los Angeles County. It's history is fascinating and contributes to its character.
South Pasadena History ...

The Greek Theatre – Los Angeles
The Greek Theatre is truly a beautiful and magical venue right up there with the Hollywood Bowl.
I was fortunate enough to head to both the Hollywood Bowl and The Greek this month. If you have never been to The Greek, you sure are missing out.
The ...

Pasadena Architecture
Pasadena is filled with beautiful structures. They are designed from many amazing architects that use Pasadena to create their masterpieces. The cultural and historical influences of Pasadena architecture have made Pasadena such an amazing neighborhood to call home.
Architectural Styles
There are many styles of Pasadena architecture that can be found ...

Eagle Rock, Los Angeles
Eagle Rock is located in Northeast Los Angeles in the San Rafael Hills. Pasadena can be found to its east. Highland Park to its south. Silver Lake to its southwest and Glendale to the northwest.
Eagle Rock earned its name due to the large rock outcropping that resembles ...

Highland Park, Los Angeles
Highland Park is located in the Northeast Los Angeles area. It can be found along the San Rafael Hills and the Arroyo Seco
The neighborhood is full of character, history and interesting facts. The Highland Park Tract was founded in 1886 – the same year that the Pasadena ...

11237 Segrell Way Culver City Ca 90230 Listed $1,345,000
For prospective buyers looking for Culver City homes for sale, Clark Living is proud to announce their newest listing at 11237 Segrell Way Culver City. To schedule a private showing or to view other homes for sale in Culver City contact Steve ...

Mount Washington
Mount Washington is located in Northeast Los Angeles in California. It is a neighborhood in the San Rafael Hills and is considered the most affluent area of the East Side of Los Angeles.
Mount Washington is bordered by Eagle Rock to the north, Pasadena to the northeast, Lincoln heights to ...

The Robert Smith Residence for Sale
The Robert Smith Residence is the nickname given to a beautiful, mid-century modern post & beam masterpiece. It was created by Architect Eugene Weston III and Douglas Byles. It was designed for famed architect Whitney R. Smith’s brother, Robert Smith.
This beautiful home was featured in ...

Evening Campfire at Vista Hermosa
Who doesn’t love a good evening campfire? Evening campfires are a great way to get the family together. And to enjoy some quality time with nature. They are a great way to make family memories and traditions. Plus, there are usually great stories, silly songs, and tasty ...

Skinny Sundays – July 13th Celebration
Skinny Sundays is hosting an event on July 13th. Come celebrate Independence Day (Again!) with Sklar Bros.
If you are looking for an adult night out this weekend in the Silver Lake, Los Angeles area, this is for you.
Celebrating the 4th of July is always a great ...

Frogtown – Southeast of Silver Lake
Frogtown is the nickname given to Elysian Valley. It is located just Southeast of Silver Lake and Echo Park.
On the East and South sides of Frogtown, you can find the Los Angeles River. Not only does this tell how Elysian Valley got its nickname, Frogtown, but ...

Vintage Black License Plates to Return
Owning and maintaining a classic car is no simple (or cheap) task. That’s why many people who love classic cars are celebrating the return of the vintage black license plates.
The Department of Motor Vehicles announced the return of the vintage black license plates with yellow ...

The Big Parade 2014
Who is ready for this year’s Big Parade? We hope you are!
This year will be the 6th annual Big Parade. It consists of a two-day walk in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 31st and Sunday, June 1st. This is something anyone can participate in, and it is ...

Whole Foods Market in Silver Lake
Whole Foods Market is making its way to Silver Lake. There have been rumors of Silver Lake finally getting a Whole Foods Market since 2013 when Ralph’s claimed it was just renovating the store.
Well Silver Lake, it isn’t just a rumor any more. Whole Foods ...

L E Oyster Bar
L E Oyster Bar. The name itself is hip. L E Oyster Bar is a great place to go when you are looking for some seriously good eats!
This is the neighborhood oyster bar, and they are located in the heart of Silver Lake. They claim to harvest, ...

Dean Accessories | Silver Lake
Dean Accessories is located in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles. Dean Accessories blends methods of the past with leathers and designs of the future for a vintage look on a modern day piece of art.
Buying a handbag at Deans Accessories is a great way ...

See a Band in Silver Lake
There are tons of places to see a band in and around Silver Lake. Finding the perfect venue to see a band is a great date idea, and another venue for a different band might be the perfect group gathering. Regardless, there are many great ...

Architecture Tour | Silver Lake
An architecture tour is a great thing to do in Silver Lake. It is no secret that Silver Lake is full of wonderful architecture.
Earlier this week, we posted a blog about Richard Neutra and his influence in the Silver Lake area. He is one of the ...

Richard Neutra - A Local Architect
Richard Neutra was born in Vienna, Austria. He moved to Los Angeles in the 1920s. Neutra had a major impact in Silver Lake and throughout Southern California as an architect. He is considered one of the most important modernist architects.
Neutra’s first Los Angeles piece of ...

Silver Lake Dog Park
Taking your dog to the Silver Lake Dog Park is a great thing to do. It is another great option for when you are in the Silver Lake area. The Silver Lake Dog Park is located on Silver Lake Blvd. near the center and southern tip of ...

Tom Lamb Maps
By: Tina Lerno Katz
Looking for a cool gift to celebrate your new home or a friend who’s made a recent purchase? Well look no further than Tom Lamb Maps.
You may have already seen his work in a few local hotspots! Tom is a long time Los Angeles resident ...

Walk to Intelligentsia
A walk to Intelligentsia is a great start to any occasion regardless of what your plans are. The coffee bar is incredibly popular amongst the regulars.
This coffee bar is so popular among regular Silver Lake residents. A line isn’t uncommon. The line is definitely worth the wait though. ...

People Watching
People watching is something people often do, but frequently overlook. See, people watching is practically a habit – we watch where we are going, and we stay aware of our surroundings.
But to sit down and enjoy the site as people come and go is a cheap way to enjoy ...

Silver Lake – 10 Things to do
Silver Lake is located in the central region of Los Angeles, California. The area is rich with history and is probably best known for its restaurants and clubs.
Silver Lake gets its name from the Silver Lake Reservoir. This used to be home to drinking ...

Silver Lake Reservoir
The Silver Lake Reservoir is home to Silver Lake and the Ivanhoe Reservoir. It will be closing the reservoirs from the city’s drinking water supply after over eight decades.
The Silver Lake Reservoir was designed to provide drinking water to over 600,000 homes in downtown and South Los Angeles. ...

Vista Theatre – Los Angeles
Vista Theatre is located just on the border between Los Feliz and Silver Lake in Los Angeles. It opened October 9th, 1923 – over 90 years ago! It was opened as a Lou Bard Playhouse and was packed on its first day.
“Tips” was playing, and it ...

The Shakespeare Bridge
The Shakespeare Bridge is located between Silver Lake and Los Feliz in the Franklin Hills section of Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #126 was built in 1926 and was named after William Shakespeare and was designed by J.C. Wright.
The Shakespeare Bridge connects St. George Street ...

SL70 – Silver Lake’s Newest Home Community
SL70 is building hype all on its own. SL70 is a housing development that is currently building 70 new and modern single-family homes. It is a housing project being taken on by Trumark Urban.
These homes are detached, three to four story homes that allows ...

Silver Lake Lifestyle: Yas Fitness Studio
YAS Fitness Studio has become a Sliver Lake staple. The Silver Lake community known for its diversity, creativity and health, YAS is the perfect fitness outlet. Whether spinning is your thing or you are looking for a very forward thinking Yoga class, they've got you ...

Silver Lake Real Estate
Silver Lake is celebrated internationally as a community for artists of all kinds and like minded people seeking a great walking community in LA. Forbes rated our community the #1 "hippest hipster neighborhood”.
Silver Lake real estate trends are continuing in an upward trend. From January 2013 to ...

Top Restaurants In Silver Lake
If you and your Valentine are looking for a unique and romantic dinner in Silver Lake, L&E Oyster Bar is the place.
It is located just below the reservoir and features some of the best and most creative oyster dishes in LA. Even if you aren’t a ...

I had the honor of being featured in the January edition of Los Angeles Confidential. The author and I talked about how my current business is entwined with my previous career as a drummer. And, how the music industry influences real estate. Combining my passions is very rewarding. I have ...